Braeden Loe 5th-8th Social Studies
Welcome to my webpage! I am excited to start my second year of teaching! I am a dedicated educator with a love and passion for my subject. I enjoy challenging my students to think critically about their subject content and always provide a basis for their statement when interacting with the academic environment and subject matter.
I graduated from Midwestern State University in 2022 with a Bachelors in Applied Arts and Sciences and Early Childhood Education. I earned my Master's in Information Management Systems in December of 2023. I plan on getting my certificate in educational technology design and another Master's in History soon!
Outside the classroom, I am a foodie, tea enthusiast, reader, and gamer. I always look for excuses to further my learning and love for history by listening to historical podcasts or reading. I have a passion for soccer and am a long-time Manchester United fan and England fan!
My Schedule
Intervention: 7:30-8:00
Character: 8:00-8:15
1st Period 8th Grade U.S. History: 8:15-9:20
2nd Period 5th Grade U.S. History: 9:22-10:22
3rd Period 6th Grade World Cultures: 10:24-11:24
4th Period 7th Grade Texas History: 11:26-12:26
Lunch: 12:28-12:58
5th Period Workshop: 1:00-1:50
Mon/Fri: 8th Tue: 5th Wed: 6th Thur: 7th
6th Period Elective: 1:52-2:37
7th Period Conference: 2:39-3:25
What We Are Learning
8th Grade U.S. History Third Six Weeks
Unit 06: Age of Jackson – Democracy Expands 1820s-1830
In this unit, students will learn about an important time in U.S. history called the Age of Jackson. Andrew Jackson’s presidency marked a turning point in American politics, where he became a symbol of the “common man” and highlighted tensions between different social classes—wealthy vs. working class and rural vs. urban communities. He was the first president from what was considered a “western” state at the time.
During this period, many Americans were moving westward, which caused conflicts with Native American tribes. Students will also study how Jackson often clashed with Congress and the Supreme Court, helping to shape the power of future presidents. This unit helps students understand how the rise of populism and the growth of presidential power impacted U.S. history.
How Parents Can Help:
Discuss with your child how leadership can impact people differently (e.g., rural vs. urban communities).
Encourage your child to explore how past presidents influenced changes in government.
Share books, shows, or websites about westward migration and early American presidents.
Unit 07: Westward Expansion – From Sea to Shining Sea 1780s-1850s
In this unit, students will explore how the United States expanded westward during the 1800s. This period is tied to the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that it was America’s right to expand across the continent. The U.S. acquired new territories such as the Louisiana Territory, Texas, the Oregon Territory, and land from Mexico after the Mexican-American War.
Students will study the early phases of westward migration, starting with settlers moving west of the Appalachian Mountains. Later, many people traveled across the Rocky Mountains to places like California after the discovery of gold. This expansion brought big changes to the country, including new political and economic opportunities, as well as cultural values like rugged individualism—the belief in being independent and self-reliant.
How Parents Can Help:
Talk with your child about the challenges and opportunities people faced when moving west.
Visit a museum or watch documentaries about westward expansion, the Oregon Trail, or the California Gold Rush.
Encourage your child to research their own family history to see if any relatives were part of westward migration.
Unit 08: Industrialization and Reform – Innovation Brings Change 1800s-1850s
In this unit, students will explore how the U.S. economy grew and changed during the early 1800s. This period is marked by industrialization, when new inventions and machines made it easier to produce goods, leading to the rise of factories and cities. These changes helped the economy grow, but they also created social challenges, especially as more immigrants moved to cities for work.
Students will also learn about how the North and South developed differently during this time. While the North became more industrial and focused on manufacturing, the South’s economy relied heavily on farming and slavery. As the country grew, so did the idea of reform—making changes to improve society. This unit helps students understand how progress and innovation shaped the U.S. economy and society.
How Parents Can Help:
Talk with your child about how inventions like the cotton gin and railroads changed the way people lived and worked.
Discuss how industrial growth impacted different groups, such as factory workers, farmers, and immigrants.
Encourage your child to think about modern innovations and how they continue to change our world.
Visit a local history museum or look for online resources about the Industrial Revolution in the U.S.
5th Grade U.S. History First Six Weeks
Unit 06: An American Identity: Becoming the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave
In this unit, students will learn about key events that helped shape the early history of the United States, including the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and the start of industrialization. These events played a big role in expanding the U.S. frontier and helped Americans develop a stronger national identity—one that was no longer tied to being colonies of Britain.
Students will also discover how this new sense of being “American” was expressed through art and literature during this time. By studying these events, students will gain a better understanding of how the United States grew into a unique nation with different cultural traditions in different regions.
How Parents Can Help:
Talk with your child about what it means to have a national identity and how different events can shape how people see themselves as part of a country.
Share books or stories about the Louisiana Purchase or the War of 1812.
Encourage your child to explore early American art or literature to see how it reflected life during that time.
Visit a local library or museum to learn more about early American history.
Unit 07: Migration Westward: Expanding the United States
In this unit, students will learn about how the United States grew in size during the 1800s. The country expanded by acquiring new lands, including the Louisiana Territory, Texas, the Oregon Territory, and land from Mexico after the Mexican-American War. This period of growth was driven by the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that it was America’s right to spread across the continent and seek new opportunities.
Students will study how this expansion changed the country politically, economically, and geographically. They will also learn about how different parts of the U.S. developed their own unique cultures and economies as the nation grew. Understanding westward migration helps students see how the U.S. became the large, diverse country it is today.
How Parents Can Help:
Talk with your child about the challenges people faced while moving west and how those challenges shaped American life.
Watch a documentary or read books about westward expansion, pioneers, or the Oregon Trail.
Discuss the concept of Manifest Destiny and how it influenced America’s growth and relations with other countries.
Encourage your child to use maps to track the growth of the U.S. during this time.
Unit 08: Civil War: Dividing and Rebuilding the Union
In this unit, students will learn about the key events and ideas that led to the American Civil War and what happened as a result. Since fifth grade covers a broad timeline of U.S. history, this unit won’t go into all the details of the Civil War but will focus on helping students understand why it happened and how it changed the country.
Students will explore the debates that caused the Civil War, such as disagreements about how the U.S. government should work (a federal system) and the issue of slavery. These topics are important because they help students see how the Civil War shaped the United States and understand how some of those issues still affect society today.
How Parents Can Help:
Talk with your child about why disagreements can lead to conflict and how people resolve conflicts.
Share age-appropriate books or videos about the Civil War to help your child understand the events and people involved.
Visit a local museum or historic site, or look for online resources about Civil War history.
Encourage your child to ask questions and share what they’re learning about this important time in U.S. history.
6th Grade World Cultures First Six Weeks:
Unit 05: Empire and Ethnicity: Russia and the Eurasian Republics
In this unit, students will learn about Russia and the Eurasian Republics, which were once part of the Soviet Union. This region covers a huge area and is home to many different ethnic groups. For much of the 20th century, it was controlled by the Soviet Union, a powerful communist government led by Russia. After the Soviet Union broke apart in the 1990s, the region went through many political, economic, and social changes. Russia became a new country called the Russian Federation, and several other countries, like Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, became independent.
Students will explore how these changes led to conflicts, especially in places like Chechnya and Ukraine, where disagreements over independence caused tension and violence. They will also learn about how Russia has used its military to influence nearby countries, such as its involvement in Ukraine in 2014 and its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. By studying this region, students will gain a better understanding of how different ethnic groups and cultures have interacted, and how difficult it can be to rule over such a diverse area.
How Parents Can Help:
Encourage your child to use maps to explore the different countries in the region and learn about their geography.
Discuss current events related to Russia and Ukraine in an age-appropriate way, helping your child connect past events with what’s happening today.
Look for documentaries or videos about the culture and history of Russia and the Eurasian Republics.
Share stories about how different countries gained independence and what challenges they faced.
Unit 06: A Crossroads of Diffusion: Southwest Asia/North Africa
In this unit, students will learn about Southwest Asia (often called the Middle East) and North Africa, a region known for being a historical crossroads where different cultures and economies have exchanged ideas and goods. This region is the birthplace of three major world religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and is home to many diverse ethnic groups.
While some countries in this region have grown wealthy due to their oil resources, many still struggle with a lack of water. Students will also explore how political boundaries were created after World War I and how the formation of Israel after World War II affected the region. More recently, in 2011, a series of uprisings known as the “Arab Spring” led to political changes in several countries.
This unit helps students understand the important role religion plays in shaping culture, as well as how managing resources like oil and water affects daily life in this region.
How Parents Can Help:
Encourage your child to research the three major religions that began in this region and discuss their similarities and differences.
Talk about how resources like oil and water can affect both the economy and the environment.
Watch age-appropriate videos or documentaries about the Arab Spring or the history of the Middle East and North Africa.
Use maps to explore the countries in this region and discuss how geography impacts their cultures.
Unit 07: Facing Challenges: Sub-Saharan Africa
In this unit, students will learn about Sub-Saharan Africa, a region with diverse cultures and histories. During the 20th century, many countries in this region gained independence after being colonized by European nations. While this was an important step toward self-rule, many countries have since faced challenges in building stable governments, economies, and societies.
Students will also explore how the region’s physical geography—such as deserts, rainforests, and savannas—affects its ability to develop economically. They will compare Sub-Saharan Africa to Latin America, as both regions share a history of colonization and have had to establish new ways of life after gaining independence. This unit helps students understand how geography and history influence the way people live today.
How Parents Can Help:
Talk with your child about how colonization has shaped different parts of the world, including Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
Use maps to help your child explore the geography of Sub-Saharan Africa, such as major rivers, deserts, and mountain ranges.
Encourage your child to read about African cultures, traditions, and famous leaders who helped countries gain independence.
Watch documentaries or read articles together about modern-day challenges and successes in Sub-Saharan Africa.
7th Grade Texas History First Six Weeks:
Unit 06: Republic of Texas and Early Statehood – 1836-1861
In this unit, students will learn about the Republic of Texas and how it became a state in the United States. After gaining independence from Mexico, Texas became its own nation, but it faced many challenges, including how to protect its people, provide government services, and manage money. While most Texans wanted to join the U.S., many American leaders were hesitant because Texas allowed slavery, and they worried it might cause more disagreements between the North and South. There were also concerns about going to war with Mexico.
Eventually, these concerns lessened, and Texas joined the United States. This led to a conflict with Mexico, resulting in the Mexican-American War, which ended with treaties that set Texas’s borders. During this time, many European immigrants moved to Texas because of the availability of cheap land, shaping the diverse culture we see in Texas today.
How Parents Can Help:
Talk with your child about what it means for a region to become part of a country and the challenges that come with it.
Visit local historic sites or museums that focus on early Texas history.
Encourage your child to explore their own cultural background and how immigration shaped Texas.
Watch age-appropriate videos or read books about the Republic of Texas and the Mexican-American War.
Unit 07: Texas during the Civil War and Reconstruction – 1861-1876
In this unit, students will learn about Texas’s role in the U.S. Civil War and how Texas rebuilt after the war during the period known as Reconstruction. In 1861, Texans voted to leave the United States and join the Confederate States because many Texans had ties to the southern U.S. and some owned enslaved people, especially in East Texas where plantations were common. During the war, Texans served in the Confederate Army, and a few battles took place in Texas. The Union Navy also blockaded the Texas coast, making it hard for supplies to get in or out.
After the Civil War ended, Texas began the difficult process of Reconstruction, during which new laws and a new constitution were created. This period helped shape Texas’s government and economy, and it helps students understand the continuing debates about how much power states should have compared to the federal government (federalism).
How Parents Can Help:
Discuss with your child what it means for a state to be part of a larger country and how disagreements can lead to conflict.
Encourage your child to learn about the experiences of different groups during the Civil War, such as enslaved people, soldiers, and civilians.
Visit historic sites or watch documentaries about Texas’s role in the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Talk about how the issues from that time, like states’ rights and equality, are still discussed today.
Unit 08: Cotton, Cattle, Railroads and Closing the Texas Frontier – 1866-1900
In this unit, students will explore the economic development of Texas after the Civil War. During this period, Texas saw a boom in its cattle industry, and agriculture expanded as well. New innovations, such as windmills, played a crucial role in supporting economic growth by providing water to farms and ranches. The construction of railroads across the state further spurred economic development and laid the groundwork for urbanization. Additionally, the invention of barbed wire helped close off the open range, which marked the end of the Texas frontier. Understanding how the cattle industry and railroads helped shape the state's economy will give students insight into how Texas became an economic powerhouse in the early 20th century.
How Parents Can Help:
Discuss with your child how innovations like railroads and windmills transformed the economy of Texas.
Visit local sites related to the Texas cattle industry or historic railroads to give your child a deeper understanding of the past.
Encourage your child to explore the importance of agriculture in Texas’s development, and how technology (like windmills and barbed wire) changed farming practices.
Watch videos or read books about the growth of the cattle industry, railroads, and Texas's transformation during this time.
Contact: Braeden.Loe@ntxca.org